We hope all of our East Coast advisors came through this weeks super-storm unscathed. In the aftermath of a disastrous event like Hurricane Sandy, we are reminded of the importance of preparing for unexpected difficulties and emergencies. Financial-planning.com shared a practice management gallery featuring a New York planner’s tips to continue to serve clients after her home and practice were ordered to be evacuated due to flooding from Hurricane Sandy. Her tips focus on the ability to continue operations.
How One Planner Evacuated by Sandy Avoided Closing up Shop
October 30, 2012
By Scott Wenger
With a back-up plan in place, employees of advisory firm were able to serve clients in need of immediate assistances by working remotely. “We are set up for these situations, as we are 100% paperless. The phone messages come to our email so we are in close touch with clients.” Below are four tips from her back-up plan shared in the article:
- “Have online back-up that can perform even if there is an office disaster.”
- “Every piece of paper should be scanned in the same day. All client files are scanned, as well.”
- “All employees should work from home regularly to test system capabilities.”
- “Everyone should have a contact list of all staffers.”
Continuity of operation planning allows you to fulfill your essential duties in the event of an emergency, or even a small scale event like an untimely power outage. Ready.gov is a good resource to help you start making a plan for your business. The Preparedness Planning for Your Business page on Ready.gov includes five steps to develop a plan-b type program for your business.
